1951 All-Pro Team

The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation.

Background
The 1951 NFL All-Pro Team is something of a misnomer. This was not an official league-sponsored honor, nor was the team a single entity. In fact, several different rival journalistic institutions — all independent of the NFL — each named their own All-Pro Teams following the conclusion of play in the 1951 NFL season.

The first of the three most important 1951 All-Pro teams was announced on December 19 by the United Press (UP). With the NFL's permanent adoption of the free substitution rule on January 23, 1950, it was clear by this date to virtually all observers that "the days of the 30- and 60-minute player" were "apparently doomed." Consequently full offensive and defensive units were named by the UP for the first time — a 22-man roster.

Offensively, the UP followed the conventional lineup of the day, selecting two ends, two offensive tackles, two guards, a center, a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback.

On the defensive side the UP selected two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two middle guards, two linebackers, two defensive halfbacks, and one safety.

First- and second-team squads were named for each of these positions. No specialist players such as kickers, punters, or kick returners were named.

The rival Associated Press (AP), making its selections via a poll of "AP sportswriters in each city where the pros played," announced its elections early in January 1952. The 1951 season similarly marked the first time that both offensive and defensive teams were named by the AP. No "second team" was named, rather a more expansive "honorable mention" list was published.

The third, and least prestigious, of the major All-Pro teams was chosen by the staff of the New York Daily News.

Selections
The All-Pro selections were dominated by players from the Cleveland Browns (nine first-team honorees including Otto Graham and Lou Groza), New York Giants (seven honorees including Emlen Tunnell), Los Angeles Rams (six first-team honorees including Elroy Hirsch), and Detroit Lions (four first-team honorees including Doak Walker).

Consensus first-team All-Pros (13) marked with bold type.

AP Honorable Mentions
Offense
 * Ends - Francis Polsfoot (Cardinals); Bob Mann (Packers); Dante Lavelli (Browns); Bob Walston (Eagles).
 * Tackles - Bill Fischer (Cardinals); Paul Lipscomb (Redskins); Lou Groza (Browns).
 * Guards - Abe Gibron (Browns); Bruno Banducci (49ers); Casimir Witucki (Redskins).
 * Center - Frank Gatski (Browns).
 * Backs - Bob Waterfield (Rams); Bob Hoernschemeyer (Lions); Dan Towler (Rams); Rob Goode (Redskins); Joe Geri (Steelers); Joe Perry (49ers); John Dottley (Bears); Bob Celeri (Yanks).

Defense
 * Defensive Ends - Ed Sprinkle (Bears); Ray Poole Giants.
 * Defensive Tackles - John Kissell (Browns); Mike McCormack (Yanks).
 * Middle Guards - Visco Grgich (49ers); Alex Agase (Browns).
 * Linebackers - Tony Adamle (Browns); Tommy Thompson (Browns).
 * Defensive Halfbacks - Howard Hartley (Steelers); Don Doll (Lions); Harry Gilmer (Redskins); Jack Christiansen (Lions).
 * Safety - Buddy Young (Yanks).